Even convicts in prison live better than he does.

And he starves his servants as well." "Really ?" ejaculated Chichikov, greatly interested.

"Should you, then, say that he has lost many peasants by death ?" "Certainly.

They keep dying like flies." "Then how far from here does he reside ?" "About five versts." "Only five versts ?" exclaimed Chichikov, feeling his heart beating joyously.

"Ought one, when leaving your gates, to turn to the right or to the left ?" "I should be sorry to tell you the way to the house of such a cur," said Sobakevitch.